gwnightscream Ellen Barkin, Jimmy Smits, Perry King, JoBeth Williams and Lorraine Bracco star in Blake Edwards' 1991 comedy. King (Class of 1984) plays Steven Brooks, a philandering, ad exec who gets shot by 3 women. He's sent back to earth, but must live as a female, Amanda (Barkin) and find love in order to go to heaven. Smits (Running Scared) plays his best pal, Walter, Williams (Poltergeist) plays Margo, one of Steven's girlfriends/lovers and Bracco (Goodfellas) plays Sheila, a businesswoman. This is a pretty good comedy that sort of shares similarities with "Oh God, You Devil!" and "Heaven Can Wait," Barkin is great in it and she and Smits have good chemistry. I recommend this.

SnoopyStyle Ad man Steve Brooks (Perry King) is a womanizing male chauvinist pig. His girlfriends Margo Brofman (JoBeth Williams), Liz (Lysette Anthony) and another join forces to kill him. Every woman hates him and he isn't allowed into heaven. He is sent back to find one woman who truly likes him. The Devil (Bruce Payne) objects and changes him into a woman Amanda Brooks (Ellen Barkin). She claims to be Steve's half-sister. His best friend Walter Stone (Jimmy Smits) takes a liking to Amanda.Ellen Barkin is a great dude but she's not necessarily a good comedian. This Blake Edwards comedy is not hitting exactly. I can see this work if Amanda is played by a great physical comedian. It's as if Edwards assumes that the man for woman thing would be easily funny for him once again. I also don't buy that she got Steve's job so easily. Another thing is the premise that making him a woman would automatically make it harder to get a woman to love him. Although I do like its resolution.

rivertam26 Switch is just one of those movies you just have to love.Touching on offensive subject matter and being socially inappropriate by today's censored standards it tells the story of a womanizer named Steve who is murdered by 3 of his ex lovers for being a male chauvinistic pig. He crosses over into a sort of limbo and being thats he's been so bad to the opposite sex is sent back to earth to find one female who truly loves him. He than can move on to heaven but if he can't will go straight to hell. The woman he becomes is played by a young Ellen Barkin in her sexual prime and comic glory.Creative laughs ensue as he deals with homosexuality, struggles of sexism in the workplace and world, repercussions of his past actions from women and advances from all kinds of men including his best friend played charmingly by the than hunky Jimmy Smits. The movie is smart funny and wholly original in its exploration of its premise and even raunchy and envelop pushing by todays standards. Although not a perfect film there are some pacing issues and questionable directorial approaches on how he approaches the material times. Switch is still a great movie as timely as ever showing us just how little we've progressed in the age old war between the sexes not to say their hasn't been a lot of progress but we still have a ways to go.

FloatingOpera7 Switch (1991): Ellen Barkin, Jimmy Smits, Perry King, Jobeth Williams, Lorraine Bracco, Tony Roberts, Bruce Payne, Lysette Anthony, Basil Hoffman, Kevin Kilner, Victoria Mahoney, David Wohl, Catherine Keener, Tea Leoni, Rick Aiello, David Gale, Robert Clotworthy, Herb Tanney, Dena Burton, Alana Silvani, Michelle Reese, Michael Badalucco, Gregory J. Barnett, Fred Lerner, Jim Lovelett, Faith Minton, Linda Dona, Elena Statheros, Robert Towers, Ross Brittain, Richard Provost, Lenny Citrano...Director Blake Edwards, Screenplay Blake Edwards.Director Blake Edwards was no stranger to comedies with themes of gender and male/female dynamics and conflict. "Victor/Victoria" which starred Julie Andrews and James Garner had preceded this 1991 film. "Switch" is a surreal/fantasy comedy about one man, sexist, awful Steve Brooks, and his transformation and redemption after death. He has been murdered by three women- Liz (Lysette Anthony), Margot (Jobeth Williams) and Sheila (Lorraine Bracco) in a bathtub. He is given a chance to go to Heaven and not Hell by God (a combination of male and female voices), but the catch is someone has to fall in love with him. Because he is the same old, sexist, womanizing, rotten pig, it's going to be hard for anyone to love him. Edwards wrote the screenplay and considering he has been the talent behind "Breakfast At Tiffany's" and other well-written films, the script here is a jewel. By 1991, the issues of transgender operations and lesbians in our modern world, working and wanting the same kind of life we all want, was not new nor entirely shocking. The film, however, is never bordering on gross or over-the-top silliness, much like it would be had this been re-made for today's audiences. It is always filled with brilliant touches from dialog to acting. Especially striking is Ellen Barkin in the principal role. Essentially, she's a man in a woman's body. She totally convinces us that she's never worn high heels so that when she walks with a limp and in a very manly way, it's more than believable acting and in keeping with character. Her tone of voice, a Brooklyn-type of accent, her rough, gutsy ways and candor, are all very nice touches. Jimmy Smits as her friend, Walter, is fine but nothing impressive. Look for Tea Leoni in a minor part. The film has a lot of heart. The music is by veteran film composer and contemporary of Edwards's, Mr. Henry Mancini. This is the story of a man's redemption through transformation. As a woman, he realizes life's tough but has advantages. He feels, coincidentally, more empowered as a woman than as a man. He even gives birth to a baby girl. His experience has finally opened his eyes and he recognizes how bad he has treated woman in the past. This is a well-executed piece of meaningful comedy and by a master director. I've given it an 8 rating because perhaps it's quality is lost in today's more enlightened world. In 1991, all the bombardment of gay/lesbian issues or transgender studies was simply to raise consciousness and now that consciousness is no longer an issue. The cinematography is splendid. New York City in the early 90's, the world of business at the time and male/female conflicts which have always been around are all part of the mix of this wonderful comic film. Enjoy "Switch".